Community Engagement in Rural Ireland

Summer 2010

5 weeks (mid-May to mid-June)

Sponsored by the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Scholars Program, University Outreach and Engagement, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the College of Social Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

It’s about Community! What does community mean to you? What is your definition of community development?  What makes rural communities work?  How do you engage community members in the process of community development?  How do you use your skills to complete a successful community project?  Join us in this unique study abroad—spend your time overseas serving the community where you live.

It’s about Ireland! What is it like to be Irish?  What does it mean to have great craic?  How does it feel to live in a village (500 people) that is a significant distance from other villages?  How do the land, history, and religion influence the way of life in rural Ireland?  How are rural communities in Ireland managing the transition from a predominantly agrarian society to a globally competitive one?  Come to County Mayo, Ireland to find your own answers to these questions.

It’s about You! Do you like a challenge?  This could be the hardest study abroad that you’ll ever love.  You’ll work hard and be proud of the results.  Do you work well on your own?  You will live and work in a village separate from other MSU students and without constant supervision from your mentor.  Are you ready for the ‘real world?’  You will work with professionals, community volunteers, and your mentor to complete a project that your community is depending on.  Are you ready to change the lives of others and to be changed yourself?

Community Engagement in Rural Ireland, a 5½ -week study abroad experience, is intended for students who are mature—capable of living on their own with a family and working on their own in a community.  Students should be curious, open to evolving experiences, highly motivated, and self-organizing.  They should be interested in respectfully engaging with community members as equals and committed to making a difference in others’ lives.

This study abroad experience is for students who seek practical experience working with grassroots community development and community volunteers in rural areas.  Students need to have the ability to tolerate sometimes “messy,” unpredictable, and uncertain situations.  This is not a study abroad program for students who expect to have every detail already determined for them by others before the program begins, who prefer to learn from experts through lectures and pre-set tours, or who are shy about asking questions or talking to people on their own.

Students are expected to undertake their community projects collaboratively, with significant input from their mentor, village council, local experts, and community members.  In the spirit of autonomous community development, students work side-by-side with their community to frame and complete their projects professionally.

This study abroad program is an immersion experience, where students are expected to engage fully in living-learning experiences associated with home stays and life in rural Irish villages. Students are expected to learn informally through personal interactions with community members and to reflect upon their person growth that comes from these experiences.  This study abroad program focuses on depth, not breadth. Unlike other study abroad programs where students tour Ireland, this program allows you to get to know one community very, very well.

For more information, visit http://www.canr.msu.edu/overseas/engageireland/

What can I study?

This study abroad program focuses on different topics each year—depending on community needs and student backgrounds and skills.  Topics usually focus on natural resources and agricultural issues; community development; urban planning; family consumer services; education; parks, recreation, and tourism; social sciences; international relations; public relations and marketing; or the humanities.  Past projects have included developing a community walk or trail, recording oral histories, researching an archaeological site, inventorying native species, creating a map of local sites of interest, designing a community park, working with youth groups, researching local legends, planning a community garden, planning a daycare or teen center, and a marketing plan and brochure.  The projects frequently entail writing strategic plans, scoping documents, grant proposals, and background research—all of which are important building blocks for successful community development.

In addition to the project, students are expected to learn about themselves and Irish culture through field trips, visits to local museums and heritage centers, outdoor learning, weekly reflections, and community events.  Through these activities, students develop and refine their understanding of rural Ireland and community engagement.

Students enroll for a minimum of six (6) credits, maximum of nine (9) from the following courses:

Students may arrange other course credits with the program coordinators, though final decisions for alternative courses depend upon the approval from collaborating departments and the student’s adviser.  With the approval of the study abroad coordinators, students may enroll in more than 6 credits and/or in Honors options.  Students who complete this study abroad are eligible to have the experience listed on their Record of Service “transcript” with the MSU Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

To apply, students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.75 at the time of application.  Meeting the minimum grade point average does not guarantee admission. In addition to the OSA application, you must complete a program-specific interest profile and interview with program coordinators.  Students must attend orientation sessions during spring semester.

While in country, students are required to complete six assignments:  keep a reflective journal, participate in group dialogues, complete community project, engage community members, present project to Tochar Valley board and community members, and write a final reflective essay.  Students are also required to act professionally.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.  While in country, faculty will follow OSA guidelines to address minor and major behavior problems, including immediate dismissal procedures if warranted.

Where will I live?

Students live in modern homes with Irish families who reside in the village or rural area where their projects take place.  Students eat breakfast and dinner with host families who make packed lunches and provide laundry service.  Past students say that experiencing Irish culture by living with a host family is one of the best parts of the study abroad program.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Diane M. Doberneck, Ph.D.
Bailey Scholars Program and National Center for the Study of University Engagement
Garden Level, Kellogg Center
Phone: (517) 432-0485

A representative of the Tóchar Valley Rural Community Network serves as a field faculty member.  Rural community leaders and local experts in Ireland also assist in designing and offering field trips, reflection sessions, and community learning events.  Study abroad faculty members from MSU are from the University Outreach and Engagement, Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resources Studies, and the Bailey Scholars Program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2009 was $4,957 and included the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• meals
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare ($800)
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs were estimated at $2,310 for 2009.  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resource and the College of Social Science also offer their students special study abroad scholarships.  Check with Rhonda Crackel (CANR) or Oumatie Marajh (CSS) for further details

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Each year, we only take eight students—apply early. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.